Dating stamp



T. R. POST DATING STAMP Sept. 9, 1941.

2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed DeC. 2, 1939 T. R. POST DATING STAMP Sept. 9, 1941.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec.

SWW/M0@ ffm/fifa Past Patented Sept. 9, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DATING STAMP Thomas R. Post, Wilmington, N. C'.

Application December 2, 1939, Serial No. 307,311

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a dating stamp.

The invention is particularly concerned with that type of dating stamp which in general in- Icludes a plurality of rotatable type wheels, an inking ribbon intermittently movable over the upper portions of the type wheels, and a block or platen above the ribbon for impression of the type upon paper supported between the ribbon and platen.

Dating stamps of this general character are well known and disclosures thereof are to be found in U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,165,662 and U. S. Letters Patent 1,289,762. l

It is a primaryvobject of this invention to improve upon such prior constructions notably iny the provision of means whereby the type and printing block or platen are movable toward each other in parallel relation and whereby the inter- .mittently movable ribbon is maintained quiescent during the relative movement of the type and platen in a printing operation, which results in a perfectly clear impression and with a total elimination of blurs which were common in the use of devices of this general character heretofore employed.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a dating stamp which includes in operative association with the ribbon spools novel spool reversing mechanism, whereby the device is capable of continued use without the necessity of an operator thereof re-winding the ribbon.

A still further object ofthe invention is the provision of a stamp of the above noted character, wherein the type Wheels lare supported for bodily movement toward a fixed printing block and wherein means are provided for maintaining the printing ribbon taut during such movement of the type wheels.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a dating stamp which is comparatively simple in construction, reliable and eii'- cient in operation, and which is capable of manufacture at relatively low cost.

The invention also involves other advantages in construction and operation which will hereinafter appear and said invention is fully disclosed in the following specification of which the accompanying drawings form a part and in which the separate elements entering into the improved construction are designated by suitable reference characters.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a'vertical longitudinal section of the dating stamp in av preferred embodiment thereof, the section being taken immediately within the rear side wall of the frame;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section partially in end elevation as observed in planes substantially as represented by the broken line 2 2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the main structure' involved in the ribbon spool reversing mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a View partially in top plan and partially in horizontal section;

Fig. 5 is a fragmental elevational view particularly disclosing the means for holdingl the reversing mechanism in operative position;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a removable type plate; and

Fig. 'l is a top jplan View disclosing a modification of the invention.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Iii designates the lcasing which may be of any suitable material and of such construction as to properly facilitate assembly of the various co-operating elements therevvithin. Rotatably mounted within the casing as by means of spindles II are apair of ribbon spools I2 which are driven in a manner hereinafter referred to.

A type wheel supporting block i3 is disposed between the opposite side walls of the frame IIJ and has bearings at its four corners in guide lugs I4 integral with or suitably'secured to the side walls of the frame, such mounting of the blocks permitting vertical movement thereof in a manner later described. y

A plurality of type wheels I5 are rotatably supported within the block I3 there being four of such wheels in the embodiment of the invention disclosed and the inner or adjacent wheels are secured to the inner ends of tubular shafts I6 which are manually rotatable by means of heads or knobs Il and the outer vwheels are secured to the inner ends of tubular shafts I8 which are manually rotatable by means of heads or knobs I9. It will, of course, be understood that the knobs I1 and I9 bear suitable markings as `an aid in positioning any desired date types at the upper faces of the wheels which project through an opening 20 at the top of the block I3. An inking ribbon 2| of substantial length has its opposite ends secured to spools I2 with a major portion of such ribbon wound upon one or both of the spools and which spools are alternately driven in opposite directions in a manner hereinafter described.

The inking ribbon ZI extends in loop formation from the spools I 2 in encircling relation with respect to the block I3 and type wheels I5 as is clearly indicated in Fig. 1, with the upper run of such loop resting upon the upper exposed faces of the type wheels.

The ribbon loop is preferably guided by rollers 22 adjacent the top of the block I3 and at opposite ends thereof, the roller 23 below the block I3 and the ribbon tensioning roller 24 the opposite ends of which are journaled in intermediate portions of links 25 (only one of which is shown) pivotally connected with the side of the frame at 26 and having their free ends engaged by tension springs 21.

A gear wheel 28 is rotatatably mounted on each of the spool spindles II and forms one of the heads of the respective spools in opposition to the opposite disk head 29. The gear wheels 28 are of equal diameter and arein meshing relation with each other whereby they rotate in opposite directions as indicated in Fig. l with a corresponding alternate rotation of the spools I2 for intermittent movement of the inking ribbon 2I over the upper exposed faces of the type wheels.

A stationary printing block or platen 39 is disposed above the block I3 in parallel relation with the top thereof and is suitably supported from the top of the frame I by an arm 3l.

Furthermore, certain of the type wheels I may be of polygonal shape, particularly the wheel carrying the names of the months, thereby presenting `successive flat faces in parallel relation with the top of the block I3 as well as with the platen 38. One such wheel is so indicated in Fig. l, conventionally shown as octagonal.

Any suitable ratchet means may be provided to retain the type wheels in any set position, but preferably each such wheel is provided with a disk 32 having a recess 33 corresponding to each operative printing position of the wheel, and spring-pressed dogs 34 successively engage within the recesses 33 as is clearly indicated in Fig. 1.

An operating arm 35 is provided for raising the block I3 and advancing the inking ribbon 2I in a manner now to be described.

The arm 35 is disposed above the platen supporting arm 3I and is pivotally connected between the side wall of the frame I as at 35. The arm is provided with an extension 31 on the lower end of which is journaled a roller 38. The roller 38 is in constant engagement with a cam surface 39 on the outer end of lever 40 which is pivotally connected intermediate its ends as indicated at 4I and which at its inner end'comprises a pair of arms.42, one disposed at each side of the block I3 and the horizontal free ends of the arms 42 engage rollers 43 suitably journaled at opposite sides of the block I3.

This construction provides for upward movement of the block I3 and the wheels I5 for operative impression contact with the platen 38 and the upper faces of the printing wheelsV are moved toward the platen in constant parallel relation therewith thereby to assure a clear and nonblurred impression upon paper disposed between the ribbon 2I and the platen 30. Y

In order to assure the clear impression the inking ribbon is advanced upon downward or non-printing movement of the block t3 and this is carried out by the provision of an arm 45 depending from the operating arm 35 and having a spring-pressed pawl 45 pivotally supported at its llower end. The pawl is in yconstant engagement with theY teeth of the outermost gear 28 and operating to move such gearV an angular distance equal to the space between any two teeth upon each upward movement of the operating arm 35 or the corresponding downward movement of the block I3.

A suitable spring detent 41 is provided to prevent retrograde movement of the gear wheels 28.

Novel means are provided in accordance with the present invention for reversing the direction of movement of the inking ribbon 2I whereby such ribbon will be alternately withdrawn from one spool I2 and wound upon the other, and such means in a preferred embodiment thereof comprises the following structure.

Each of the spools I2 at the end thereof adjacent the corresponding gear wheel 28 is provided with clutch teeth 48 (Fig. 4) and the adjacent side of the gear wheel is provided with cooperating clutch teeth 49. The spools are further provided with recesses 50 in which are disposed coil springs 5I reacting against the gear wheels and bottom of the recesses for normally holding the clutch teeth 48 and 49 out of engagement, whereby the spools and gear wheels are free for independent rotation as is clearly indicated in Fig. 4.

Swingably mounted on a spindle 52 whose ends are supported in side walls of the casing is an inverted U-shaped frame 53 including a relatively wide end member 54 disposed between the gear wheel 28 and the adjacent side of the frame I8, and a narrower beveled edge end member 55 disposed between the spool head 29 and the adjacent side of the frame I8 and a top connecting member 55. A spindle 51 is rotatably journaled in the lower end of members 54 and 55 with one end thereof projecting beyond the end member 55 as indicated at 58.

Fixed to the spindle 51 intermediate the members 54 and 55 is an arm 59 which upon engagement by the body of the ribbon on either spool imparts partial rotation to the spindle 51 as will later appear. A coil spring 68 surrounds the spindle 51 with its opposite ends engaging the end member 55 and the arm 59 for practically retarding rotation of the spindle 51.

Fixed to the spindle 51 immediately Within the end member 54 is a member 8| having recesses 82 in its upper end for successively receiving the pin 53 extending inwardly from the end member 54, the pin 53 limiting rotation of spindle 51 by engagement of either recess 62 with the corresponding pin 63.

The-member 8l is slightly concave at each end Yas indicated at 64 and each gear wheel28 is provided with a pin 55 for engagement with the corresponding concaved end 64 at certain intervals as will later appear, for shifting or rocking the frame 53 about the spindle 52, thereby de-iclutching one spool I2 and clutching the other.

The operation of this novel ribbon reversing mechanism is as follows:

VAs indicated n Figs. 1 and 4 the ribbon is being wound upon the outer spool I2 and unwound from the inner spool l2 and accordingly gear wheel 28 are in driving engagement through the coaction of the teeth 48 and 49 and the inner spool I2 is free of the corresponding gear wheel 28 as clearly indicated in Fig. 4, and while both gears 28 are rotating in opposite directions only the outer one is driving a ribbon spool.

In this stage of operation, the frame 53 is swung rearwardly with the beveled edge end member 55 in overlying frictional engagement with the head 29 of the outer spool I2, thereby compressing the spring 5I and holding the teeth 48 and 49 in clutching engagement. As indicated, the outer spool is now fully wound and the inner one almost unwound` and the body of ribbon on the outer spool has engaged the arm 59 and swung the member 6I to the limit of its clockwise position (Fig. 1), thereby positioning the end Gil thereof in the path of the pin 65 on the outer gear 29, and which pin upon further rotation of such gear will engage member 6I and rock the frame 53 in the opposite direction, whereupon the beveled edged member 55 will engage the beveled edge of the head 29 of the inner spool I2, and put same in driving engagement with the corresponding gear 28 and release the outer spool from driving engagement with its gear. As the inner gear rotates oppositely to the outer gear, the ribbon will now be wound upon the inner spool I2 and unwound from the outer spool I2.

It is to be noted that the pins 55 are in ai plane adjacent the circumference of the gears for clearing the member BI when in neutral position.

In order to hold the frame 53 in either of its clutching positions, a leaf spring 65 has one end thereof secured to a lug El on a side wall of the frame I and the spring adjacent its free end is provided with a projection 68 for engaging the extension 58 of spindle 5l and thereby holding the frame 53 in clutching engagement with either spool head 29.

The block I3 is adapted to detachably support a plate B9 having a positioning handle I9 and a cast type bar 'II is suitably secured to the plate as is clearly represented in Fig. 6 whereby business advertising and the like, in addition to the date, is capable of being stamped by the device.

If desired, the type Wheels I may be positioned nearer the center of the block I 3 as indicated in Fig. 7 whereby a signature plate I2 in addition to the plate 69 may be detachably supported by the vertically movable block I3.

From the foregoing detailed disclosure it will be readily appreciated that a dating stamp is provided in accordance with this invention which comprises novel cooperating elements for rendering the device highly efcient in operation.

While I have disclosed preferred means for carrying the various objects of my improvement herein set forth into effect, my invention is not limited to the details of construction herein shown and described, and changes therein, and

modifications thereof may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of my invention or sacrificing the advantages thereof.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by U. S. Letters Patent is:

1. In a dating stamp, a frame, a platen rigidly fixed to the top of the frame, a block having a plurality of printing Wheels journaled therein and supported within the frame for movement toward the platen, an operating arm pivotally supported by the frame and extending over the platen, the arm having an extension within the frame, a lever pivotally supported intermediate its ends by the frame, one end of the lever operatively engaged with the block and the other end of the lever operatively engaged by the free end of the extension for movement of the block toward the platen upon actuation of the operating arm.

2. The structure dened in claim 1, wherein the block is provided with a roller at each side thereof, and wherein the lever comprises an arm in bearing engagement with each roller.

3. The structure deiined in claim 1, wherein the operative engagement between the operating arm extension and lever comprises a cam surface onV the lever and a roller pivotally supported by the extension and in bearing, engagement with the cam surface. Y 4. In a dating stamp, a frame, a block vertically movable Within the frame and having a plurality of printing wheels journaled therein, the top of the block being plane and having a printing wheel exposing opening therein, a platen above the block and rigidly supported parallel with the top of the block by an arm projecting from the frame, an inking ribbon intermittently movable over the top of the block, an operating arm pivotally connected to the frame and extending over and longitudinally of said rst arm, a lever arm pivotally supported Within the frame and having one end thereof operatively engaged with said block, the operating arm having an extension carrying a roller at the free end thereof, and a cam surface on the other end of said lever armi engageable by said roller upon depression of said operating arm for raising said block and bringing -said printing Wheels into impression contact with said platen.

THOMAS R. POST. 

